The RAFFI-el (Robotics and Arts for the Future of the Food Industry) Workshop seeks to explore the intersection of robotics and the arts in shaping the future of the food industry and nutrition. It aims to investigate how these two seemingly distinct fields—either independently or through mutual collaboration—can contribute to a more sustainable, ethical, and innovative approach to food production, distribution, and consumption. Robotics, integrated with AI and sensing, has the potential to revolutionize the food industry. For example, farming robots can improve the efficiency of agricultural practices, and ensure sustainable farming methods that preserve field biodiversity while optimizing resource management. Social robots can help us reduce waste and enhance our food perception and healthy nutrition. At the same time, the arts provide a unique perspective on how to experience, present, and integrate food into cultural and social contexts, encouraging creative, human-centred and planet-centred approaches to technological advancements. Integrating robotics, AI and arts approaches can enhance their mutual benefit in improving food industry and healthy food consumption.

Beyond its technical focus, this workshop also emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together experts in robotics, artificial intelligence, food sciences, and artistic disciplines to collectively redefine the food sector of tomorrow. Discussions will revolve around how robotics and AI can enhance food production without compromising artisanal quality, how wearable technologies can support chefs and farmers rather than replace them, and how AI-driven food design can personalize and reimagine culinary experiences. The workshop will also address the ethical and societal implications of robotic integration in food systems, ensuring that innovation aligns with environmental responsibility and human well-being.

By fostering dialogue between technology and creativity, RAFFI-el aspires to shape a future where robotics and the arts work hand in hand to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and enriching food ecosystem. Whether through citizen science approaches, AI-generated culinary aesthetics, or interactive dining experiences, the workshop will serve as a platform for visionary ideas that challenge conventional boundaries and inspire new directions for the food industry.

Submission Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. Please submit your extended abstract of up to 5 pages, references and acknowledgments included. Please use EasyChair (this platform) for the submission.

Please use the following template to prepare your extended abstract. Submissions that do not follow this template will get a desk rejection.

• Overleaf: click here
• LibreOffice: click here

Your submission will be peer-reviewed. Upon acceptance, you will get to present your contribution as a 10-minute pitch presentation during the RAFFI-el workshop. Either way, you can still register to the workshop as an attendee through this this link.

Important dates:

• Submission deadline: July 10, 2025

• Acceptance notification: July 18, 2025

• Workshop day: September 10, 2025

List of Topics

• Robotics in the food industry
• Intersection of robotics and arts in food
• Robotics and biodiversity in food systems
• Wearable technologies in food preparation
• Sustainable and ethical food production
• Artistic future perspectives on food industry
• Robotics and AI for agriculture and food industry
• Social robotics and healthcare robotics
• Arts and technology
• Agriculture and food industry
• Technology, wellbeing and healthy food research

Organisers

• Francesco Semeraro, The University of Manchester, UK

• Tatiana Efremenko, Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy

• Kosta Jovanovic, University of Belgrade, Serbia

• Petia Radeva, University of Barcelona, Spain

• Angelo Cangelosi, The University of Manchester, UK

Invited Speakers

• Marita Canina, Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy

Publication

We are planning to publish the conference proceedings in CEUR-WS. If you do not want your contribution to be published, it will be possible to withdraw your contribution, even after having presented it in the workshop.

Venue

The conference will be held in Naples (Italy), on September 10th, 2025. It will be co-located with the 17th International Conference on Social Robotics + AI.

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to francesco.semeraro@manchester.ac.uk with the title of the email starting with "[RAFFI-el]".